I started last week asking everyone to keep in prayer those families in the community that are dealing with the recent passing of a loved one. As I ask you to continue to pray this week, let me be more specific. Please pray for the repose of the soul of, and for the families of these three women, each of whom gave generously of themselves in support of the Church and Catholic education over their lifetimes: Mrs. Ann Buckreis (the mother of our Activities Director Robert Buckreis), Mrs. Gloria Albrittain (mother and grandmother of a multitude of O'Connell alumni), and Mrs. Olga Hill (the mother of our Dean of Academics Sister Catherine Hill. Mrs. Hill passed away last night peacefully at the age of 103). These three women supported, by prayer and works, the spiritual development of young men and women.
The second round of retreats for seniors earlier this week would have been of interest to each of them because they gave of themselves in order that young people would have the opportunity to develop personal relationships with Christ. Mrs. Buckreis, for example, directed the religious education program at Saint Michael's Church in Annandale for 25 years. The retreats, even in this relatively short 30 hour overnight format, do provide students an opportunity to pause, to pray, and to reflect on how they will continue to hold close those things that matter most as they head off to college. My observation from the boys retreat this week is that the young men are very conscious of the tension between the fullness of what they are called to be and the things that the culture messages them as being most important. When I take a few moments, its not hard to put myself back in their shoes and imagine all that I thought was important at that point in my life. Doing this reflection also brings to mind people from my past who I know never gave up on me -- always prayed for me, lifted me up in times of doubt or discouragement, and encouraged me to continue praying and staying close to God. I pray that I have the right, best words to offer young people when an opportunity for me to play a role like that comes along.
It is good to end a week and a blog on a joyful note. That happened today in the gym when 13 student-athletes made their commitments to compete in NCAA athletics in front of family, coaches, teachers, counselors and, most joyfully, friends. With the announcement of each name, the gym erupted with cheers from the bleachers. The students wanted their friends to know how impressed they were with their accomplishments, how happy they were for them, how much they enjoy being their teammates, their friends. It was a really nice moment.